Reforms are being implemented in the Multi‑Purpose Service Program (MPSP) to:
- strengthen protections for older people
- align arrangements more closely with those in mainstream aged care.
These reforms include the 24/7 registered nurse (RN) requirement, which commenced for the MPSP on 1 July 2026, and work to trial direct care targets in MPSP settings.
The MPSP Direct Care Target Trial will help test a practical approach to reporting direct care and RN care targets in mixed health and aged care settings. It is designed to support shared learning and evidence-building, not compliance or enforcement activity.
What is the MPSP Direct Care Target Trial?
Care minute requirements were introduced for mainstream residential aged care homes from 1 October 2023.
The Australian Government is working towards introducing similar arrangements for homes funded under the MPSP. Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) operate under different service, workforce and funding arrangements.
Through the MPSP Direct Care Target Trial, we are working with states, territories and providers to provide assurance that residents in MPS have appropriate levels of direct care.
The trial will help us better understand how direct care is delivered across MPS settings and test feasible and proportionate ways of reporting direct care time.
Results from the trial will inform future direct care arrangements and broader MPSP reform work. The trial will also support shared learning and evidence-building across the program.
Phases 1 and 2 of the trial are now complete.
Current status of trial
The next phase of the MPSP Direct Care Target Trial commences on 1 October 2026 and is expected to run for at least 12 months.
Participating providers will report trial information to us in the month following the end of each quarter. Resources to support reporting will be published on this page.
Stage 1 runs from 1 October to 31 December 2026. During this period, participating providers will trial a target of 200 minutes of direct care per resident per day, including 40 RN minutes.
Stage 2 starts on 1 January 2027. During Stage 2, the target will increase to 215 minutes of direct care per resident per day.
Trial resources
We will publish resources to help participating providers understand the trial, complete reporting and calculate direct care and RN minutes.
The MPSP Direct Care Minutes Targets Trial Guide is now available. This explains why the trial is being undertaken, what MPS are being asked to do, how and when reporting will occur, and what information may be used to support reporting.
The following additional resources below will be made available here by 31 October 2026:
- a Single-MPS Excel Reporting Template for providers submitting information for a single MPS
- a Multi-MPS Excel Reporting Template for providers submitting information for multiple MPS
- the Care Minutes Calculator Tool is an optional tool to calculate direct care and RN minutes for reporting
- Care Minutes Calculator Tool Guide is instructions for using the calculator tool
- the Endorsement form confirms information submitted has been reviewed and authorised.
Questions and answers
Will the department provide a reporting tool for the trial?
Yes. We will provide reporting templates in Qualtrics and Excel formats.
Providers may use information available through their existing business-as-usual systems, records and processes. The department is not prescribing how supporting information must be collected.
What information can be used to support reporting?
Examples include payroll records, rosters, timesheets, workforce systems, allocation records and other business-as-usual information.
Will providers be required to introduce new systems?
No. Providers are not expected to introduce systems or documents for the purposes of the trial.
What happens if an MPS does not meet the target?
The trial is intended to support shared learning and evidence-building.
No regulatory, compliance or enforcement action is associated with the trial information reported or participation in the trial.